Weekend Christian Life Programme at the Franciscan Centre in Lamlhuka

CFC North Bangkok chapter spent the weekend of 17-18 September 2016 at the Franciscan Centre in Lamlhuka to run a Christian Life Programme (CLP). The first Nonthaburi-based household created last year following the first CLP at the Don Bosco Filipino School and led by Jojoy and Emelyn Mission organized the programme with support from other members of CFC North Bangkok. For most of the members of the service team, the weekend event was their first evangelization experience. A total of 18 participants completed the programme, including 4 CFCs, 5 HOLD, 1 SOLD and 4 SFCs. While most of them were Filipino nationals, there were also Thai, Mexican and Greek in the group. Father John from Viet Nam opened the CLP by exhorting the participants to strengthen their understanding of the Christian faith and God's purpose for their lives. A total of 12 CLP talks were given within the short period of two days. At the end of the session, Father John gave a very inspiring and enlightening sermon about the use of material wealth based on the Sunday gospel's reading.

Outreach event for children at St. Joachim Pastoral Centre for Migrants

CFC Thailand - Minburi Household went to St. Joachim Pastoral Center on 13 August 2016 to reach out on the children learning at St. Joachim Pastoral Center for Migrants. The household was inspired by the Global Day Outreach Mission of Kids for Christ last year 2015, when the CFC community went to reach out these kids. Most of these children are sons and daughters of Burmese parents.

​The Minburi Household contacted Sister Rosa, Coordinator/ Person-in-Charge at the Center and asked her about the needs at the center. The children needed toothbrush, toothpaste, soaps, and bath towels. More importantly, she informed that the center needed a sound system to be used for daily programs, gatherings and special events at the center. They have speakers in the center; however, it was old and malfunctioning.

The household members used their Love Offerings fund to sustain the expenses for the vans, foods for the service team and children at the center, toys, clothing for the children and other items. In order to meet the needs of the center, we asked for the help of the CFC Council to subsidize the sound system through the help of South and East Bangkok Chapter leader Bro. Bal Palmos. The council approved the request and a brand new sound system was purchased.

Women's conference at AIT - Rejoice, pray and give thanks

CFC Thailand Family Ministry gathered largely female members of the community at the Milton Bender Auditorium, Asian Institute of Technology on 21 August 2016 for a day of recollection and fellowship. The conference exhorted some 80 participants to respond to the call to be the women of the 3rd millennium who will continue the work of Christian mission and live out the call for holiness. Bel Liboro and Myrna Vega, country coordinators for the Handmaid of the Lord from Manila, gave inspiring talks along with sisters from Bangkok.

Back-to-back CLPs in Phuket

​CFC Laguna Phuket launched two Christian Life Programmes (CLPs) during the weekend of 21-22 August 2016. The first CLP was held at the residence of Edgar/Jenima Penaso in Phuket Town and had 8 attentive participants, including one couple. The second one was held at the St Joseph Church, Laguna where members of CFC are based. Some 16 participants came to the programme and inspired the service team members who did not anticipate the big turn out. EDante flew to Phuket to give the first talk on God's love. He also had a chance to bond with some members while staying there for the weekend.

CFC North Bangkok concludes CLP in Rangsit

We rejoice, we give thanks and pray for our new brothers and sisters in CFC North Bangkok! With God’s grace we have just concluded the CLP at Our Lady Mother of God Church in Rangsit on 31 July 2016. Our evangelization work has bear fruit having given us six new CFC members who completed the CLP from the initial 10 participants. Two English speaking Thais have completed this round of CLP. One is Bro. M (SFC) who has shown so much enthusiasm as he had just been baptized recently as a Catholic and had attested that he had learned a lot more about Christianity through the CLP which greatly reinforced what he had learned in the Catechism course he underwent. He was so inspired that he committed to invite more Thai parishioners in our next CLP. This is giving us an opportunity to build up the Thai membership in our CFC family in Rangsit. ​We welcomed him and five others to our North Bangkok chapter. We thank everyone who has provided the support for this 2 nd CLP in Rangsit this year. May God Continue to use us as instruments to evangelize more people in this North Bangkok area and eventually reach out to other places as well. (Contributed by Bros Vic Lau/Pats Gonzales- CLP team leaders with support from Art Roa)

CBCT to start a Family Ministry

As one of the identified key priorities of the Family Desk of the CBCT Commission on the Lay Apostolate under H.E. Bishop Silvio Siripong Charatsri, a National Workshop to establish a Family Ministry will be conducted at the Salesian Retreat Center in Hua Hin on July 25th-28th, 2016. The Workshop will be facilitated by Fr. James Gascon, SJ, and his Team from the RMT Center for Family Ministry of the Ateneo de Manila University in Manila.

Fr. Gascon provided an overview of the Family Ministry in a Workshop in the FABC Conference on the Asian Family, also held in Hua Hin last May 16th-20th, a joint undertaking of the FABC Office of the Clergy and the FABC Office for the Laity and Family. The Conference was attended by 2 archbishops, 12 bishops, 24 priests, 2 nuns and 59 lay leaders from 14 Asian countries to discuss “Shepherding Families in Asia – Contemporary Challenges and Responses.”

CBCT Family sent 17 delegates/observers to the Conference led by Bishop Siripong, including seven elders from Couples for Christ-Thailand, namely, Fr. John Tamayo, SDB, Amb. Precha and Sirikul Pitisant, Prakal and Prasri Oudomugsorn, and Jimmy and Naty Lozare. The National Workshop will be in English, with Focolare providing simultaneous Thai translation of the sessions. It is expected that about twelve priests, led by H. E. Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana and Fr. Tamayo, with more than 50 lay leaders from ten Thai dioceses invited, will participate in the National Workshop.

Joe and Babylou Tale visits CFC Bangkok

Joe Tale, CFC Chairman, and his wife Babylou met with Bangkok-based members of CFC Thailand during a short visit from 7 to 9 June 2016. Although they had traveled to Bangkok before, it was their first pastoral visit to the CFC community to exhort them to renew their commitment to the mission and vision of CFC and provide updates on the direction and programmes of CFC in Manila and also globally. Joe and Babylou addressed members largely from CFC South-West Chapter led by Bal and Joyce Palmos, some members of the fraternal household and representatives from the family ministry on 8 June at the East Tower Condo in Bang-na. They also spent time with Edgar to discus the mission in Thailand and neighboring countries, like Myanmar, Cambodia and Lao PDR.

CFC Theme Retreat - Rejoice, Pray and Give Thanks

About 180 members of CFC Thailand gathered for its annual conference held at the AIT Center Auditorium on 21 May 2016 to reflect on the theme "rejoice, pray and give thanks" taken by Philippians 4:4-7. A team from CFC Manila comprising six couples led by country coordinators Bombee/Beth Tiongson gave powerful testimonies through talks, sharing of experiences and creative dancing about the joy of marriage and community life, the inherit challenges and difficulties that we all face in life and the importance of our intimate relationship with God. It was a time of celebration and fellowship with brothers and sisters from the three chapters of Bangkok, the team from Manila and a few members from upcountry areas. A powerful music ministry by members of North Bangkok chapter accompanied the praise and worship part and demonstrated the talents and gifts that exist in the community.

A grace-filled CLP in Vientiane, Laos

13 March 2016: Fr. Franklin Mirasol, OMI summed up the Christian Life Program in a side comment during his Mass homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent at the Sacred Heart cathedral in Vientiane, Laos, when he commented: “Couples for Christ are holding a Retreat this weekend. I don’t know what they are talking about, but yesterday everyone who came for Confession with me are all crying. It must have been good!” True enough, sharing by the eight participants – a couple, three Singles, two Lao Handmaids, and a Servant from Canada – and more from the Service Teams testified after the CLP to God’s special graces of personal conversion, renewed faith, physical healing, relationships restored, and a strong sense of community and empowerment of local leaders on how the Holy Spirit blew mightily over the weekend. Fr. Frank was so impressed with the sharing that he invited CFC, whom he experienced to working with at the Mary Mother of God parish in Bangkok many years before, to visit him in his new parish at Petchabun province in northeast Thailand.

The CLP was conducted by CFC-Vientiane during the weekend of March 12th-13th, led by GBoy and Rea Ancog, Toto and Angel Malazarte, and Sarah Erer with their Service Teams. They were ably assisted by four elders from Manila (Central A Sector) – Tito Manny and Tita Grace Panagsagan, CFC-Laos country couple coordinator, with Tito Tynee (of 29AD fame) and Dr. Shonee Anden, and CFC-Bangkok sent SFC Unit Leader Wena Elemento and FTPW Jimmy Lozare. Wena also led an SFC General Assembly on Sunday afternoon after the CLP, as requested by Tito Manny and Sarah Erer, leader for SFC-Vientiane, attended by 19 Singles. Lively mini-talks on the Power of Prayer, the Building of Relationships (brotherhood and sisterhood) were highlighted by “how to make a date with the Lord,” with lots of personal sharing. Wena ended the GA with an empowered Spirit-filled Praise and Worship talk on community worship (Praise-Worship-Glory). Tito Manny and Tita Grace also announced the appointment of Toto and Angel Malazarte as couple coordinator for the newly-established Family Ministries for CFC-Laos covering both CFC-Vientiane (one parish) and CFC-Pakse (5 parishes). In the evening fellowship dinner hosted by CFC-Vientiane, the exuberant Singles rightfully described the Spirit-filled weekend as: “It was a blast!”

CFC North Bangkok welcomes new members at Easter

The CFC-North Bangkok culminated its Christian Life Program (CLP) with a warm welcome by the entire chapter to the 20 graduates who successfully completed the program on Easter Sunday, 27 March 2016. The graduates who accepted the Covenant and became new members of CFC-NB chapter were composed of 3 CFC’s, 2 SOLD’s, 5 HOLD’s and 7 SFC’s.

The CLP, held at Our Lady Mother of God Church in Rangsit, was conducted for seven consecutive Sunday afternoons, beginning with the first talk on God’s love on Valentine’s Day and culminating with the talk on Transformation in Christ and Dedication Ceremony on Easter Sunday – what a meaningful celebration!

The CLP was facilitated by a first time CLP Team led by Eric Gerolaga who completed the CLP two years ago and assisted by Harold Nierva who also completed the CLP three years ago. The CLP also provided an opportunity for some community members to grow in service by becoming first time speakers, sharers and discussion leaders - underlining the words of Pope Paul VI that, “Evangelization is simply to bring the good news to all strata of humanity, and by its own strength, it will enter the hearts of men and renew the human race”.

The CFC-NB Chapter is always blessed to have the strong support of the priests in Rangsit church namely; Fr. Doroteo Reyes, Fr. Ronnie Torres, Fr. Gerry de los Reyes and the parish priest, Fr. Joseph Prasarn Koorathtanasuwan.

CFC welcomes new members in Korat at Easter

CFC Thailand welcomes 8 new members (6 SFCs, 1 YFC and 1 HOLD), who completed a three weekend-long Christian Life Programme (CLP) held at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), on Easter Sunday. 27 March 2016. The CLP was organized over three weekends and led by Mac/Gigi Velayo from CFC Central Bangkok with support from the households of John/Princess and Patrick/Anne as well as from SFCs. The service team also included existing members of CFC Korat who served as discussion leaders and looked after logistical arrangements of the CLP. Father Somchai. the Parish Priest, addressed the new CFCs and thanked members of CFC Bangkok for their dedicated service. He encouraged the members of CFC Korat to follow the call of Jesus to be "the light of world" in Korat.

Mission to the South and North of Thailand

Edgar and Moonyeen Dante visited the South community in Krabi and Phuket on the weekend of 20-21 February and to the North community in Chiangmai on 28 February to lead the monthly general assemblies. During those assemblies, they introduced the traditional first fruits ceremony to consecrate each member to the Lord and to ask for guidance for the community and family life for the rest of the year. Edgar also gave a teaching on how to overcome difficulties in life based on Christian principles and the bible. In all the three communities, members showed great dedication to the life and mission of Couples for Christ. There were some difficulties in the leadership of household groups due to other pressures in life, but some of the leaders renewed their commitment to serve.

CFC Bangkok celebrates Christmas 2015

CFC Bangkok celebrates Christmas 2015 at the Asian Institute of Technology Center on 13 December 2015 with the participation of members from North, Central and South-East Bangkok chapters. The theme of the event was titled The Coming of the Messiah" and focused on worship from beginning to end giving honor and praise to our God who has blessed the community lavishly during 2015. It started with a worship praisefest followed by a praise dance, exchange gifts, Christmas carol and dinner. It was a joyful celebration involving many families of Couples of Christ and its family ministry.

​North Bangkok Back-to-back CLPs

Don Bosco CLP graduates and service team

AIT CLP graduates and service team

CFC North Bangkok completed back-to-back Christian Life Programmes at AIT and Don Bosco Filipino School in Nonthaburi in November 2015.

“Families witness to love are better evangelizers"

​On 25 March 2016, ​French missionary Fr. Robert Coste, MEP, celebrated Mass and prayed over the newly elected elders for Area Governance Team of CFC-Ubon Ratchathani (Diocese level) at the closing session in the afternoon of the Leaders’ Retreat and Assembly, the first for the year.

He was overjoyed that the laity had started to become active in the diocese, especially CFC couples, who also assist to lead BEC (Basic Ecclesial Communities) formation for the local churches.

The Retreat was held at the St. Theresa’s Garden Retreat Center in the main town of Ubon Ratchathani attended by 21 leaders from CFC-Zong Ye and CFC-Ban Lao (Yasothon), CFC-Chanuman and CFC-Nong Khu (Amnaj Charoen), CFC-Nongkham and CFC-Sritham (Sri Saket), CFC-Ban Bua Tha (Ubon Ratchathani), led by Samnieng and Khamnai Thanara, diocese head. FTPW Jimmy Lozare of CFC-Bangkok gave the keynote reflection on the Year of Mercy and the opening exhortation after the morning Mass.

Fr. Coste shared that when he was still serving as parish priest in various villages in the Diocese, many people came to see him asking for catechism lessons and baptism. He mentioned that they were not inspired by his sermons but by the witness of their Catholic neighbors who showed love and respect for everyone and are always very helpful to others.

“It is true that there are many things wrong in the world, we all experience that every day and there is no need to discuss specifics as we all suffer in one way or another, but the witness of Catholic families still shine brightly and bring comfort and hope to a despairing society,” Fr. Coste emphasized. “Please do not extinguish the light from the flame of love of the Holy Spirit, continue, keep on doing good, go on, even if you struggle with hardships along the way. Do not give up because the world needs to hear the Good News of Jesus.”

A surprise silver wedding anniversary party was organized in honor of Jojoy and Emelyn Mission on 2 October 2015 with the presence of many North Bangkok members, three OMI priests from Rangsit and other friends and guests. The special occasion was disguised to Emelyn as a regular household meeting planned to be held at Dante's residence. Upon arrival, Emelyn was brought to a room to change, given a special flower bouquet and driven to Korea House where many members and guests excitedly awaiting her arrival together with Jojoy. There were inspiring honoring speeches, plenty of good food, fun-filled fellowship and many pictures taken. May the couple receive God's blessings for a longer and happier married life together. They expressed their sincere gratitude to the CFC community for their kindness and love.

Singles for Christ Regional Conference, 24-25 October

The Singles for Christ (SFC) is inviting all Singles & Young Couples (and extended to everyone - even non-SFC/CFC- who is interested to join) to the first SFC Regional Conference being hosted in Thailand and will be participated by Greater Mekong Countries. The event will be held in Pattaya Redemptorist Center on October 24-25. The theme is about building Family in Christ "a Masterpiece". The registration fee at costs is THB 1,500/head inclusive of Twin-Sharing Accommodation, Food and Conference Kits. The Conference Shirt, Transportation and Tours are handled/paid for separately and will be coordinated during registration course through its respective committees.

Women's conference

Just about a month after the 'Love More" conference, the CFC Family Ministry gathered about 100 HOLD members and CFC wives for another big conference with the theme "'Colors of Love'. The event was held at the Milton Bender Auditorium, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Pathumthani on 13 September 2015. The conference continued the community's reflection of the CFC theme of the year "Love More". Sis Bel Liboro, HOLD Country Coordinator for Thailand gave inspiring talks and testimonies along with some HOLD members of the community. It was a day well spent with the Lord.

CFC theme conference "Love More"

CFC Thailand reflected on Jesus' resurrection appearance in Galilee as reported in the Gospel of John 21:1-19 through a powerful and spirit-filled weekend conference entitled "Love More" held at the AIT Conference Centre, Pathumthani on 22 August 2015. A team of 11 members from CFC Manila headed by Bombee and Beth Tiongson, Country Coordinator for Thailand gave inspiring teachings and touching testimonies about our life with God in CFC and our mission to serve and love God more. Over 250 participants from Bangkok chapters, CFC communities in the South and North-East of Thailand and Lao PDR were blessed by the powerful weekend event.

CLP at Laguna, Phuket

CFC Laguna, Phuket held a CLP orientation session at St Joseph Catholic Church on Sunday, 6 September 2015. Some 19 individuals attended the session. Ariel and Dhonna Campos, the area leaders, led the event with full support from the community members. At that session, two CLP talks (God's love and Who is Jesus Christ) were delivered. A powerful and inspiring music ministry was lead by Mike Trinidad and his children, John, Jules and Dhonna. EDante attended the session and gave a talk.

CFC Pakse, Lao PDR Pastoral Visit

Manny and Grace Panagsagan, CFC-Laos couple coordinator from Manila, led a pastoral visit to Pakse in southern Laos on the weekend of August 29-30, 2015, with support from CFC-Vientiane (Laos), CFC-Bangkok, and CFC-Ubon Ratchathani (Thai), with a lively General Assembly on Saturday afternoon full of heartfelt sharing from the Lao villagers. Manny presented updates of CFC in the morning session followed by Mass celebrated by Fr. Andrew Souksvad, parish priest, and host for the day with his parishioners of Mother of Perpetual Help. Some 35 CFC leaders and members from Sacred Heart and Holy Spirit parishes joined the members of MPH, while leaders and members from St. Theresa and Holy Family parishes were unable to participate due to harvesting of their cassava crops. Also joining as observers were two brothers from the local Seminary and a Vietnamese nun. Bishop Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, Apostolic Vicar of Pakse, hosted the Saturday dinner for the CFC teams at his residence.

Don Bosco School scholarships

EDante and Jojoy Mission visited the Don Bosco School at Ratthanatibet on Saturday, 5 September to formally offer several scholarships that started with contributions from CFC Manila (Ancop). Seventeen students were offered from 10 to 90% discount on tuition for the school period from August to October 2015.

Healing Seminar, 27-28 June

A healing seminar was held at the Mary Help of Christians Church on 27-28 June 2015 starting at 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. It was given by Sis Melba and Bro Francis from the Philippines and included topics, such as: inner healing, healing of the family tree, deliverance and the praying together for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Father Tamayo was the main organizer of the event.

CFC Position on Same-sex marriage

The recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) calling the ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional, thereby affirming its approval for it, has triggered waves of reaction from various parts of the world. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans-genders (LGBT’s) and other people who support their cause have hailed the decision as a landmark decision that promotes equality and liberty for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation. It is, for them, a decision that has at long last destroyed the barrier of exclusivity of marriage between a man and a woman which they find as discriminatory. Read more.

The following elders were elected on Friday, 19 June 2015 to the new International Council after the Elders' Retreat and Annual Assembly held at the CBCP Laity Formation Center at the San Carlos Major Seminary:-[1] Lito Tayag[2] George Campos[3] Jimmy Ilagan[4] Joe Tale[5] Dr. Joe Yamamoto[6] Rouquel Ponte[7] Manny Garcia[8] Michael Ariola[9] and Bong Arjonillo (not in picture)

New nine CFC International Council elders election

First Kids for Christ Camp in the South

KFC couple coordinator Darwin/Merle Tagaduar from CFC South-East Bangkok chapter led a Camp for 14 children from Krabi, Phang-nga, Phanom and Surat Thani, supported by HOLD Gail Lozare and SFC Joanne Sadol. The Camp was one of three components in the Annual Retreat for lay leaders in the Surat Thani diocese. The Camp was conducted at the Baan Porntawan Retreat Center in Phang-nga on 15-17 April 2015 with songs and prayers, games and several workshops in which the children made their own bead bracelets and cardboard crosses for souvenirs. H. E. Bishop Joseph Prathan and Fr. John Bosco Suvat, director of the Center, blessed the children and their crosses after the Friday closing Mass.

Another highlight of the Camp was a morning beach outing at the nearby Khao Lak Bay which the children enjoyed immensely with games and swimming. The Retreat included a Lectio Divina Recollection and an MER I component led by Amb. Precha/ Sirikul Pitisant of the CFC-Thailand national council and Mission Area director for Surat Thani, and supported by CFC-Thai elders Prakal/Praisri Oudom-ugsorn and Jimmy Lozare. The senior kids also joined the “Baptism in the Spirit” with the adult retreat-ants on Thursday night with Taize prayers and reflective songs led by Chamlong of CFC-Phanom. Bishop Prathan enjoined the non-CFC members to consider participating in future CFC activities in his diocese. The participants enjoyed the three-day Spirit-filled Retreat and are now planning a Thai CLP to be held in Phanom, Surat Thani in November 2015.

A mission team from Bangkok comprising Mac/Gigi Velayo and Jimmy/Naty Lozare went for a pastoral visit to the CFC communities in the South of Thailand, including Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Krabi and Surat Thani, during the weekend of 13-14 June 2015. At Krabi, the team witnessed about peace and discipline at a general assembly attended by 17 members. At Surat Thani, they shared about governance and personal guidance. They also discussed with the members issues regarding pastoral structure, household groupings and leadership for strengthening the communities.

Mission to the South

Pastoral visit to the South

25 April 2015: A sister was presented with a birthday cake at the General Assembly of South Chapter held at the new St Raphael Cathedral in Sura Thani on 25 April 2015. Members from Krabi, Tunyai, Nakonsithamarat and Surat Thani attended the monthly general assembly and were given a teaching on discerning God's will by EDante. On Sunday, the following day, EDante traveled to Phuket to join another general assembly among members of the CFC community in Laguna, Phuket held at the St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Mission to South Thailand

Bal and Joyce Palmos organized 3 general assemblies of members from Nakhon Si Thamarrat (Mater Ecclesiae church), Krabi (Oliver’s Residence) and Surat Thani (St. Raphael Cathedral) during 14-15 February 2015. The assemblies encouraged members to be faithful to prayer assemblies and their love for God. There was also an activity about the Valentines day and sharing on being a good steward of God-given time, talent and treasures. Click for more photos.